Side Effects and Risks

Massage therapy appears to have few serious risks if appropriate cautions are followed. A very small number of serious injuries have been reported, and they appear to have occurred mostly because cautions were not followed or a massage was given by a person who was not properly trained.

Health care providers recommend that patients not have massage therapy if they have one or more of the following conditions:

Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs)
A bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin
Damaged blood vessels
Weakened bones from osteoporosis, a recent fracture, or cancer
A fever

Any of the following in an area that would be massaged:

An open or healing wound
A tumor
Damaged nerves
An infection or acute inflammation
Inflammation from radiation treatment

If you have one or more of the following conditions, be sure to consult your health care provider before having massage:

Pregnancy
Cancer
Fragile skin, as from diabetes or a healing scar
Heart problems
Dermatomyositis, a disease of the connective tissue
A history of physical abuse

Side effects of massage therapy may include:

Temporary pain or discomfort
Bruising
Swelling
A sensitivity or allergy to massage oils